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October 9, 2013

Joe Duran’s United Capital Acquires Arizona Firm

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Brotherton Investment Consultants brings $150 million in assets under advisement to United Capital

United Capital CEO Joe Duran has made a reputation with his firm's “Honest Conversations” exercise.

National registered investment advisor United Capital announced Wednesday that it has acquired Brotherton Investment Consultants, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based firm founded in 1998 by husband-and-wife partners John and Donna Brotherton.

The acquisition brings approximately $150 million in assets under advisement to Newport Beach, Calif.-based United Capital. It continues the private wealth counseling firm’s expansion in the Southwest, with Brotherton as the first Arizona firm to join United Capital. The Brothertons join as managing partners and bring with them a staff of financial professionals.

As of March 31, United Capital and its affiliates have approximately $17 billion in assets under advisement and, with the addition of Brotherton, 47 offices. United Capital has made a reputation for itself by building what CEO Joe Duran calls “a better mousetrap” with its “Honest Conversations” exercise that helps clients understand their money minds and why they make the decisions they do.

Donna Brotherton said the Honest Conversations toolkit matches her firm’s client-focused business model and is a major addition to its planning process.

“They get what wealth management is all about and offer us invaluable tools and resources to help our clients,” she said in a statement. “The exercise provides a safe environment and helps couples get to the heart of the matter with their finances—why we are all sitting at that table—and finally gives the ‘silent partner’ a voice in the financial decision-making process.”

In addition, the Brothertons both said their partnership with United Capital stemmed from the administrative burdens that were increasingly taking time away from clients and impeding the firm’s growth. John has more than 32 years of experience while Donna has more than 26 years in the industry.

“The Brothertons exemplify the type of advisors we aim to partner with — their goals and client-centric values align with our own, which we know is a strong differentiator from the industry,” says Matt Brinker, senior vice president, partner development and acquisitions at United Capital. “The firm is a valuable addition, and we are excited to support their team with administrative and planning efforts as they continue to grow and help their clients.”